Page 56 of Sadistic

Something bad, no doubt.

"We should go," Mom says, clearly uncomfortable with Doran being around.

I can’t blame her, she tried so hard to keep this from happening, and I know she’s having a hard time accepting this.

"I'll drive you," Greer offers quickly.

And suddenly everyone's leaving.

Hugs and promises to text, Greer assuring me the dress will be perfect, Rhiannon making me promise to send proof of life texts.

The suite that felt so full moments ago empties until it's just Doran and me.

The silence stretches between us, not uncomfortable, but still a little weird.

"Have you eaten?" he asks finally.

"Room service." I gesture at the demolished spread. "Your mother ordered enough for an army."

"She tends to do that." He loosens his tie slightly, the first sign that he's not completely composed. "I could use a drink."

He pauses, and I realize he's actually asking, not commanding. "Join me? The bar downstairs is quiet this time of night."

It's not an order.

It's an invitation.

And somehow that makes it harder to refuse.

"Okay," I say, surprising both of us.

Something flashes in his eyes—surprise that I agreed? Satisfaction?

He holds out his hand, and after a moment, I take it.

CHAPTER SIX

Doran

The elevator descends in silence, her hand still in mine.

She hasn't pulled away—that's something.

The champagne she was drinking with the ladies has given her a soft glow, lowered the walls she usually keeps up.

Her pulse flutters against my fingers where they rest on her wrist, rapid like a trapped bird.

"You're staring," she says without looking at me.

"You're worth staring at."

She turns then, meeting my eyes in the mirrored wall. "Is that a line?"

"It's the truth."

The elevator opens before she can respond, releasing us into the hotel's marble lobby.

Late enough that most guests have retired, leaving only the night staff and a few stragglers.

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